Bombardment is from both sides in fighting at front
NICOLE McCLURG looks back at what made the news 100 years ago
Enemy Bombardment on 50 Miles Front. Guns open heavy fire this morning from south of St Quentin to Arras region, Sir Douglas Haig this morning reported
GENERAL Headquarters, 10.27am, March 21, 1918: A heavy bombardment was opened by the enemy shortly before dawn this morning against our whole front from the neighbourhood of Vendeuil, south of St Quentin, to the river Scarpe.
From Press Association special correspondent in France, Thursday: At about five this morning, enemy artillery swelled into a heavy bombardment on practically the whole British front south of the Scarpe and an hour later opened fire with gas shells on the front around Fleurbaix.
As I write, at 10 o’clock, the air is thunderous. Our guns are replying strenuously. Thus far, no infantry movement is reported and beyond this I can say nothing.
The weather is very hazy, and aerial observation almost impossible.
Sham Diamonds - Alleged Manchester Swindle
THE singular case in which Morris Greenberg, commission agent, Warwick Chambers, Warwick Street, city, alleged that he had been the victim of a diamond swindle was resumed at the Manchester City Police Court today.
In the dock were John Daniel Moss, 60, of London, who was charged with obtaining £160 by false pretences, and James Trott, 45, Hayley Street, Longsight, who was charged with conspiring along with Moss to defraud Greenberg of the money.
The allegation was that Trott, who knew the prosecutor, showed the prosecutor in November last some loose stones, which he said were not for sale, but he “could put Greenberg on to a man who could sell him some decent diamonds.”
The prosecutor alleged that subsequently Moss, under the name of Isaac Taylor, sold him 20 to 30 stones which he represented to be diamonds but which were found to be nothing but glass - ‘jargoons’ or ‘white sapphires’ as an expert witness described them.
They were usually made to imitate diamonds, added this witness, and a diamond merchant would not handle them.
In reply to Mr Sandbach, who represented the prosecutor, the witness said there were no natural stones named ‘white sapphires.’
When Moss was arrested on March 2, said Detective-Sergeant Butler, prisoner replied to the charge, “I will leave that to my solicitor,” and added, referring to Greenberg, “I do not know that man there; he is a perfect stranger.”
Greenberg to this remarked, “You are the man.” The officer was present in the cells when Moss had a conversation with his landlady to whom he said: “Don’t forget that appointment with Jim.”
Butler and Detective-Sergeant Dorricott followed the woman subsequently, and saw her meet her prisoner Trott who said to her “Did Greenberg turn up?” At that point Butler interposed, “But I have come with a warrant for you, Jim.”
Trott was taken to Newton Street Police Station, and in his possession was found a piece of paper with Moss’s address upon it. The prisoner Trott replied to the charge: “I know nothing about it.”
Moss, who was defended by Mr Judson, now said he was not guilty, and reserved his defence.
A similar statement was made by Trott for whom Mr Murray appeared and both prisoners were committed for trial at the sessions.
Food Position - Vegetarianism’s Growing Popularity
VEGETARIANISM is by sheer force of circumstances holding a more prominent position in the feeding customs of the people than it has ever done since the movement was initiated by the ardent advocates of food reform in the Victorian era.
Men who in normal times would have looked with disdain upon a diet in which meat had no part are today finding it is quite possible to make a satisfying meal of this description.
The enforcement under the Public Meals Order of two meatless days a week in hotels, clubs and restaurants has had much to do with the change and the further restrictions in the consumption of meat which the national rationing system will entail after April 7 are causing thousands of persons to adopt themselves by easy stages to a less robust dietary than that to which they have been accustomed.
The manager of one of the large Manchester vegetarian catering undertakings told an Evening News reporter today that the business of at their several branches had developed to a remarkable degree within the last few months and said that had they only to face the same ratio of expenses that they had to do in pre-war days they would no doubt be on the flood-tide of prosperity.
The cost of the raw material as well as of the various administrative items, including labour, had increased to such a phenomenal degree, however, that but a small margin of profit was left on each transaction.
He made it a strong point that a properly selected vegetarian meal contained all that was necessary for the maintenance of physical efficiency.